Would you propose more, less or no change in overall spending?

AL GORE

In January, the administration launched the National Plan for Information Systems Protection, the first national strategy for protecting

the nation's computer networks from deliberate attacks. This program supplements

the 1997 Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security, which was launched

to promote cooperation between government and private-sector initiatives

for cybersecurity. As president, Gore would continue to provide the funding

necessary for the critical protection of information technology and work

with the public/private initiative to maximize the effectiveness of IT security

efforts.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Currently, Bush has an IT steering committee with more than 400

members. He draws on their expertise and depends on their advice and counsel

as he considers the new range of issues that affect Texas and the United

States now and in the coming century.

His e-government initiatives would require sufficient federal investment

to meet the needs of enabling a more "citizen-centralized" government. He

has seen — in states like Virginia, Pennsylvania and right here in Texas — the effectiveness of maintaining an electronic portal to government agencies.

Citizens should have unlimited access to rules, regulations and services

via the Web. Bush envisions parents receiving information on an Education

Savings Account for their child, activists downloading the latest environmental

regulations or an entrepreneur downloading data on export markets.

It would be the duty of the federal CIO to ensure that all security

requirements are strictly enforced. In addition to other funding for security

controls, Bush would expand the role of the CIO, who would oversee the allocation

of Bush's $100 million fund to support interagency e-government initiatives.

This fund would support interagency IT projects, initiatives to promote

customization of services and systems integration.

Bush believes that IT security and citizen privacy are critical issues

in this new era. A recently released General Accounting Office report indicates

that 97 percent of federal Web sites failed to abide by the Federal Trade

Commission's four basic privacy principles. This indicates gross negligence

by the Clinton/Gore administration. Bush advocates tremendous investment

and accountability in the security aspect of Internet technology. It is

imperative that the privacy of individuals and corporations be respected

as the digital marketplace expands.

Bush believes that all Americans should have absolute control over their

personal information in the online as well as the off-line world. As governor,

Bush has worked to protect the privacy and security of every Texan by signing

legislation to ban identity theft, to safeguard genetic information and

to protect driver's license information. In addition, his office has provided

$800,000 to form an Internet Bureau Task Force to combat emerging cybercrimes,

including online gambling, child pornography, stalking and fraud, while

protecting Internet privacy issues. Finally, Texas is utilizing IT to enhance

state government, to improve the lives of Texans, to bolster the public's

trust in online government and to address important policy issues, such

as access, privacy and security.